Man who helped mum torture disabled brother to death begs mercy at sentencing
The brother who admitted to torturing his special needs brother has been sentenced to 30 to 100 years in jail.
Paul Ferguson owned up to his role in the death of his brother, Timothy Ferguson, on orders from their mother, Shanda Vander Ark.
He begged the judge for "mercy and fairness" before the sentencing. Timothy Ferguson, 15, who had autism with speech and motor impairment died in 2022 from malnourishment and hypothermia.
Timothy and Paul's mum Shanda Vander Ark, 44, has been sentenced to life in prison without the chance for murdering the boy. Timothy was subjected to horrific torture that included being forced to eat bread doused in hot sauce and lay in ice-cold baths for hours at a time.
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Paul Ferguson speaking in courtBreaking down, after being allowed to address the court, Ferguson said: "I ask the judge for nothing more than mercy and fairness. To offer me compassion, so I might learn from him."
Through tears, he said: "What reasons can justify my actions? I can make up a thousand and never believe one. What words can voice my regrets? I can think of millions and yet never feel it's enough."
"If I could do it all again, and do it right, I would. I feel I will pay for my choices and yet never feel better, because he's still gone."
Timothy was found dead at his family's home in Norton Shores, Michigan, about 39 miles west of Grand Rapids. An autopsy found Timothy died on July 6, 2022 from malnourishment and hypothermia, and his death was ruled a homicide. The teen, who weighed just 69 pounds when he died, had autism and was speech and motor impaired.
Timothy, who had autism with speech and motor issues died from malnourishment and hypothermia (Muskegon County Circuit Court)Judge Kacel described Ferguson as a near "psychopath" and said he believes the 21-year-old is "just as bad, if not worse" than his mother. The judge said: "Mr. Ferguson is trying to shift blame from him to his mother and say that somehow, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have done this, or she's the one that did this."
During Vander Ark's court case, prosecutor Matt Roberts showed pictures of Timothy's 69lb body to the jury and the mum, causing her to vomit. The jury took just over an hour last month to find her guilty of first-degree murder and a judge later sentenced her for life in prison without parole.
Vander Ark, who tortured Timothy with ice baths and withheld food, sat motionless and looked steadily ahead as she listened to her fate.
Shanda Vander Ark was accused of neglecting and abusing her son (Fox 17)Court prosecutor Matt Roberts scrutinised Vander Ark with texts between her and Paul revealing they planned punishments for Timothy.
Roberts told the court Ark did not look at her children while they read their statements, adding: "She had stopped thinking of her children as human beings." Timothy's older siblings, Millie and Nolan Ferguson travelled from two states to make impact statements about their little brother, according to local ABC website WZZM.
Paul Ferguson in courtMille said: "I want the world to know that Timothy was wanted. If not by her, then by me. He was loved by me. I regret not hugging more, and teasing him so much, and not telling him I love him more often."
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